Courtney Announces More than $2.4 Million Saved for Constituents in 2014

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) released 2014 totals showing that constituent casework performed by his office in 2014 saved or returned $2,431,624 to eastern Connecticut residents. Courtney's office helped residents receive funds and benefits owed to them by resolving IRS disputes, VA benefit issues, mortgage problems, complications with Social Security benefits, and other issues.

"Each year, my office hears from eastern Connecticut residents struggling with federal agencies to receive the benefits or payments they are rightfully owed. By cutting through red tape and guiding constituents along the way, my staff and I can help right some of these problems. From securing IRS payments of a few hundred dollars to releasing retroactive retirement benefits worth tens of thousands, each of these cases is about more than a dollar amount—they are real families trying to make ends meet, start businesses, pay for college, or secure their retirement," Courtney said.

"I urge any eastern Connecticut resident having difficulty with a federal agency to contact my office to see if we can be of assistance."

To highlight some of these cases, Courtney's office invited some constituents to discuss their experiences in a video, linked below. Their cases contributed to the overall savings total of more than $2.4 million.

Click here to view the video: https://youtu.be/jfTVUj-Brqc

The featured constituents are:

Delbert Jones of Waterford, who received $4,740 from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A form he had filed successfully in previous years to change the tax treatment of his veterans benefits was rejected, and the Congressman's office helped to preserve that benefit and secure his refund.

Andre Fenty of New London needed assistance with his disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after he retired from the U.S. Navy. Congressman Courtney's office helped to expedited the process and secure nearly three years' worth of benefits he was owed.

Caroline Young of Enfield was paying $30 per month for a generic prescription, but the cost skyrocketed to $850 per month after the generic was discontinued. She and her husband, Thornton Young, contacted Congressman Courtney for assistance. His office identified a Medicare assistance program to cover the cost of the drug, eliminating their monthly co-pay entirely.

Lester Daddario of Suffield was owed eight months of benefits from the VA, which required that Mr. Daddario appoint a fiduciary to be responsible for his finances. However, his son-in-law, Nicholas Harding, had difficulty in securing a timely appointment to meet with VA staff and be designated as Mr. Daddario's fiduciary. Congressman Courtney's office secured an appointment in a matter of days, and Mr. Daddario's benefits were distributed shortly thereafter.

Total savings for Second District constituents in 2014: $2,431,624

• • Social Security and Health and Human Services benefits: $1,092,173
• • Veterans Administration: $736,463
• • Housing/mortgage issues: $265,847
• • Federal pensions and workforce issues: $141,833
• • Internal Revenue Service: $119,225
• • Education and Student Loans: $43,006

Congressman Courtney's office can assist constituents with a range of issues including: Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, immigration/visas, passports, loan modifications, requests for flags and commendations, service academy nominations, and more. He has two offices in eastern Connecticut:

Norwich District Office: 860-886-0139

55 Main St., Suite 250

Norwich, CT 06360

Enfield District Office: 860-741-6011

77 Hazard Ave, Unit J

Enfield, CT 06082

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